US Vice President JD Vance has brushed off social media rumours about him and his wife, Usha Vance, heading for a split. Speaking to NBC News on Friday, Vance said that he and the US second lady ‘kind of get a kick out of’ the online speculations.
Vance married Usha, who was born to Indian-origin Hindu parents in 2014, after they met at Yale Law School. The couple had an interfaith ceremony in Kentucky that included both Christian and Hindu traditions.
Their marriage and Usha’s Hindu background have been under the spotlight ever since Vance was announced as Donald Trump’s running mate in 2024.
How divorce speculations spread
A series of events starting in October, including comments made by Vance about Usha’s religious background, had fuelled speculations that the couple is heading for a divorce.
While answering a question at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi in October, Vance, who converted to Catholicism five years after he married Usha, had said that he hoped one day his wife would also convert to Christianity.
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Later, Vance issued a clarification on X saying, “She is not a Christian and has no plans to convert, but like many people in an interfaith marriage – or any interfaith relationship – I hope she may one day see things as I do.”
Vance hugging Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was shot dead on September 10 at the same event, made matters even worse.
Many interpreted it as a romantic hug and a sign that they are dating. In a recent interview, Erika Kirk shot down any such speculations.
Even as the rumours were spreading, last month, Usha was photographed without her wedding ring, adding fuel to the fire.
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What Vance said
But, in his NBC News interview, the US Vice President insisted that all is well between him and his wife.
“Our marriage is as strong as it’s ever been, and I think Usha’s really taken to it, and it’s been kind of cool to see how she’s developed and evolved in this new role,” Vance said.
When asked if the rumours have affected the couple, Vance said, “It’s funny. I actually don’t think that it’s tough.”
Why was Usha Vance not wearing wedding ring
On why Usha was not wearing her wedding ring, Vance said his wife had left her rings behind again after having taken a shower.
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“She was like, ‘Oh, if I don’t go back and get them, there’s going to be some ridiculous psycho who talks about it on social media,’” Vance recalled. “And I was like, let them. It’s not even worth the trip to run back upstairs. So we actually have a little bit of fun with it. And we thought that whole viral social media cycle was kind of funny.”
